Work begins on new Doncaster Dome community cycling facility

Work has begun on a new community cycling facility at Doncaster Dome, thanks to a significant cash injection from the government’s Places to Ride capital grants programme.

The programme is designed to provide a lasting legacy after the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire in September.

The Doncaster site will be transformed into a modern cycling area encompassing a cycle circuit with recreational and competitive roots, including a regional specification race circuit. The site will also include a learn to ride area for children and young people, as well as a cobbled climb.

Operated by Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust, the 1km long, 6m wide circuit will be closed from traffic to create a safe environment for cyclists of all abilities.

The project has been made possible through a partnership between British Cycling, Sport England and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) to deliver its Places to Ride scheme over the next two years. With a contribution from Doncaster council, the partnership will fund the development of multi-use facilities to engage with a broad spectrum of cyclists, as well as smaller scale requests to transform communities across the rest of the country.

The Doncaster Dome facility is the first of several trailblazer projects set to leave a lasting imprint from the UCI event in September, in line with British Cycling’s announcement that more than £2 million, out of a total £15 million available, will be dedicated to small grant requests in order to transform facilities in communities across England.

Michael Hart, Chief Executive of Doncaster Culture and leisure Trust, said: “We are thrilled that this new cycling facility is being created at Doncaster Dome. We look forward to working with our partners to ensure that people throughout the borough can access and make the most of this new facility. Doncaster has attracted world class cycling and will now be a hub for developing world class cyclists.

“The circuit will benefit people of all ages, groups, clubs and schools from across the region. Doncaster council’s in-house construction team is the principal contractor for the scheme, with local firm Derek Lewis Ltd carrying out most of the civil works. The facility is set to be completed by the autumn.”

Applications for both small and large-scale requests from the Places to Ride fund are being accepted until January 2021. To find out more information or apply online, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk/placestoride.